IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


r 


/. 


/////      •  >  ^0 \     ^ 


1.0 


I.I 


.25 


M 
U    11111.6 


Phntnoranhic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  B72-4503 


«v- 


s. 


4? 


iV 


:\ 


\ 


"'  •«> 


<^ 


^ 


*0 


y 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Caradian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  at  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^a 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculie 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  an  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bl«ue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  matarirl/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 


□    Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

□    Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  la  taxta. 
mais,  lorsque  cela  italt  possible,  cas  pages  n'ont 
pas  it6  film^es. 


r~^   Additional  comments:/ 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normaie  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  da  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  ddcolories,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachdes 

Showthroughy 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materit 
Comprand  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I    Pages  damaged/ 

I    "Images  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

bid  Pi 

r~~y  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
I      I    Pages  detached/ 

r~V'Showthrough/ 

I  ^^1    ■ 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r~|    Only  edition  available/ 


n 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuiilet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc..  ont  M  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  i 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Commentairas  supplimentaires; 

DISTORTION  OF  PRINT  IMAY  RESULT  FROM  CREASED  PA6ES. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 
Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 
10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


12X 


30X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


ire 

details 
es  du 
modifier 
er  une 
MImage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadian  History  Department 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


as 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grfice  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Metropolitan  Toronto  Library 
Canadian  History  Department 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettatd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  filmds  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
criginaux  sont  filmds  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  co:.ner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  I'angle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


errata 
to 


pelure, 
>n  i 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

si 


u 


C„^^.'UO#    ^^ 


c./ 


\^K 


1>'x<;a.\->- 


DISCOURSE, 


DELIVERED    IN 


MIDDLEBOROUGH,  MASS. 


AUGUST  £0,  1812, 


BEIXO 


THE  DAY  OF  THE  NATIONAL  FAST. 


BY  JOSEPH  BARKER,  >).iVI. 

Pastor  of  the  First  Clinrch  in  spid  town. 


boston: 
printed  by  samuel  t.  armstrong,  no.  50,  cornhilv. 

18)12. 


i-!''  'i' : 


.,>» 


^.:ti 


K 


% 


V:x 


N'^X  ^?^  \ 


MAY  5    195» 


=■^^''J-.,1»-w^T?W«;^,■,l^.-,'^ftre■»*■■Ial.Mpft^-  ■ 


A  DISCOURSE. 


■W 


Psalm  xxii,  4,  5. 
Our  Fathers  trusted  in  thee:   they  trusted^  and  thou 
didst  deliver  them.     They  cried  unto  thee,  and  were 
delivered:   they  trusted  in  thee^  and  were  not  con- 
founded. 

The  whole  of  the  Psalm,  which  contains  our  text,  is 
a  prophecy  concerning  Christ,  his  humiliation,  suffer- 
ings, and  consequent  glory. 

This  is  evident,  as  several  passages  of  it  are  quoted 
in  the  New  Testament,  and  applied  to  Christ.     When 
Christ  was  upon  the  cross,  he  cried  out,  in  the  words 
of  the  first  verse  of  this  Psalm,  "My  God,  my  God, 
why  hast  tliou  forsaken  me?"  In  the  seventh  and  eighth 
verses,  the  insults,  which  Christ  received  from  the 
spectators,  are  described:  "All  they  that  see  me  laugh 
me  to  scorn:  they  shoot  out  the  lip,  they  shake  the 
head,  saying.  He  trusted  on  the  Lord,  that  he  would 
deliver  him:  let  him  deliver  him,  seeing  he  delighted 
in  him."     According  to  the  Evangelists,  this  was  lite- 
rally fulfilled,  when  Christ  was  upon  the  cross.     In 
the  eighteenth  verse  it  is  written:  "They  part  my  gar- 
ments among  them,  and  cast  lots  upon  my  vesture." 
Matthew  saith,  (chap,  xxvii,  35,)  "And  they  crucified 
him,  and  parted  his  garments,  casting  lots:  that  it  might 
be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken  by  the  prophet,  They 
parted  my  garments  among  them,  and  upon  my  vesture 
did  they  cast  lots."     These  quotations  abundantly  shew 
that  this  Psalm  had  particular  reference  to  Christ, 

Christ,  when  praying,  in  his  affliction  and  distress, 
made  use  of  the  words  in  our  text,  as  an  argument  to 
enforce  his  petition.  He  pleads  God^s  former  good- 
ness to  his  people  and  praying  servauts,  as  an  cncour- 


I 


,■* 


k 


,■*"■■' 


11 


agcment  for  him  to  hope  to  be  heard,  and  answered  in 
peace. 

This  is  a  forcible  argument,  and  is  a  consideration, 
which  may  encourage  people  to  pray  in  the  lime  of 
their  affliction  and  trouble.  God  is  a  prayer-hearing 
God,  and  hath  been  wont  to  hear,  and  help  his  people, 
when,  in  their  distress  and  trouble,  they  have  cried 
unto  him. 

These  words  are  very  pertinent  to  the  present  occa- 
sion. We  are  convened  to-day  in  consequence  of  a 
proclamation,  issued  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  in  compliance  with  a  request  of  the  Congress, 
by  a  joint  resolution  of  the  two  houses,  that  a  day  may 
be  recommended,  to  be  observed  by  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  with  religious  solemnity,  as  a  day  of 
public  humiliation  and  prayer. 

The  reason  assigned  for  this  appointment,  is  thus  ex- 
pressed in  the  proclamation:  "Whereas  sUch  a  recom- 
liiep'^'ition  will  enable  the  several  religious  denomina- 
tions and  societies  so  disposed,  to  offer,  at  one  and  the 
same  time,  their  common  vows  and  adorations  to  Al- 
mighty God,  on  the  solemn  occasion  produced  by  the 
war,  in  which  he  has  been  pleased  to  pcjrmit  the  injus- 
tice  of  a  foreign  power  to  involve  these  United  States.** 
There  is  a  propriety,  beauty,  and  solemnity,  in  the 
numerous  religions  societies  of  all  denominations  of 
christians,  throughout  the  United  States^  addressing 
the  throne  of  grace,  at  one  and  the  same  time,  with 
their  humble  petitions  and  fervent  prayers,  on  the  same 
account.  Many  thousands,  united  in  the  same  interest,^ 
and  sharing  in  the  same  calamity,  at  one  and  the  same 
time,  crying  to  God  for  help! 

The  calamity,  with  which  these  states  are  visited,  is 
the  war,  in  which  God  hath  been  pleased  to  permit  the 
injustice  of  a  foreign  power  to  involve  them.  God's 
providence  is  acknowledged  in  bringing  this  war  upon 
us,  though  he  was  pleased  to  employ  as  an  instrument 
*'the  injustice  of  a  foreign  power.'*  Thus  God's  hand 
ought  to  be  seen  and  acknowledged  in  all  the  comforts, 
which  we  receive  in  this  world,  and  in  all  the  calami- 
ties, which  beM  us:  For  God  saith.  "I  form  the  liffht. 


m 


wered  in 

deration, 
lime  of 
r-liearing 
s  people, 
Lve  cried 

ent  occa- 
ncc  of  a 
e  United 
!;!ongress, 
day  may 
le  of  the 
a  day  of 

thus  ex- 
a  recom- 
enomina- 
S'  and  the 
IS  to  Al- 
d  by  the 
he  injus- 
I  States." 
^  in  the 
at  ions  of 
Idressing 
ine,  with 
the  same 
;  interest, 
the  same 

'isited,  is 
srmit  the 
.  God's 
•var  upon 
strument 
)d's  hand 
comforts, 
i  calami- 
;he  lie-ht. 


1 


and  create  darkness:  I  make  peace,  and  create  evil:  I 
the  Lord  do  all  these  things." 

But  sometimes,  in  bringing  our  calamities  uponilil> 
some  wicked  agent  is  employed  as  an  instrument:  aS  in 
the  present  case;  the  injustice  of  a  foreign  power  hath 
involved  these  states  in  war. 

War  is  styled  in  scripture  one  of  God's  sore  judg- 
ments. And  indeed  it  is  an  awful  calamity.  It  is  at- 
tended with  a  great  destruction  of  property;  it  reduces 
miiny  from  affluence  to  indigence;  it  destroys  many 
lives,  and  generally  of  such  persons  as  are  in  the  prime 
and  vigour  of  life;  it  makes  many  widows  and  fath^^r- 
less  children;  it  snatches  from  aged  parents  their  belov- 
ed sons,  on  whom  they  depended  for  the  support  and 
consolation  of  their  old  age;  it  often  depraves  the  morals 
of  people,  and  endangers  liberty  and  free  government* 
It  is  indeed  a  sore  judgment,  which  we  ought  to  depre- 
cate, and,  if  possible,  avoid.  As  the  Apostle  saith,  "If 
it  be  possible,  as  much  as  litth  in  you,  live  peaceably 
with  all  men."  This  implies  that  sometimes  it  may  be 
impossible  for  a  man,  or  nation,  ever  so  desirous  of 
living  in  peace  with  all  men,  to  avoid  war. 

Considering  war  as  a  great  calamity,  and  unavoidable 
by  us;  and  considering  it  as  having  been  brought  upon 
us,  by  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  universe,  by  vvhat 
means  or  instrument  he  pleased;  with  great  propriety 
is  a  day  set  apart  for  public  humiliation  and  prayer. 

And  the  present  is  the  day,  which,  according  to  the 
proclamation,  is  "set  apart,  for  the  devout  purposes  of 
rendering  to  the  Sovereign  of  the  universe,  and  the 
benefactor  of  mankind,  the  public  homage  due  to  his 
holy  attributes;  of  acknowledging  die  transgressions 
which  might  justly  provoke  the  manifestations  of  his 
divine  displeasure;'  of  seeking  his  merciful  forgiveness, 
and  his  assistance  in  the  great  duties  of  repentance  and 
amendment." 

God  hath  seen  fit  to  visit  us  with  the  sore  judgment 
of  war;  he  is  the  Sovereign  of  the  universe,  and  the 
benefactor  of  mankind:  "he  doth  not  afflict  willingly, 
nor  grieve  the  children  of  men:"  Therefore  we  must 
see  the  nronrietv  of  confessin*'  our  sins,  which  have 
provoked  his  displeasure,  and  of  seeking  his  merciful 


'1 1.1  luunm  iJim'a.jJJl.uiiiBBgpgeg 


!^ 


forgiveness,  and  his  assistance  in  the  great  duties  oC 
repentance  and  amendment. 

We  h:\ve  sinned  against  God,  or  he  would  not  have 
sent  his  judgments  upon  us.  Our  ways  have  not  pleas- 
ed him,  or  we  should  not  have  been  involved  in  a  war: 
For  it  is  said,  (Prov.  xvi,  7,)  "When  a  man's  ways 
please  the  Lord,  he  naketh  even  his  enemies  to  be  at 
peace  with  him."  Therefore  repentance,  confession 
of  our  sins,  and  amendment  Qf  life,  are  duties  incum- 
bent upon  us. 

We  have  the  written  law  of  God  in  our  possession; 
each  one  has  a  conscience  in  his  own  breast;  and  it  is 
our  duty  impartially  to  inquire,  what  hand  our  sins  have 
had  in  bringing  this  judgment  upon  our  land.  Let  not 
that  be  applicable  to  us,  which  is  written  in  Jer.  viii,  6, 
*'I  hearkened  and  heard,  but  they  spake  not  aright:  no 
man  repenteth  him  of  his  wickedness,  saying,  What 
have  I  done?  Every  one  turneth  to  his  cause,  as  the 
horse  rusheth  into  the  battle."  People  are  very  prone, 
when  judgments  arc  sent  upon  them,  to  look  no  further 
than  to  the  instrument,  or  Secondary  cause,  and  not  to 
acknowledge  God's  hand  in  them.  Is  not  that  the  case, 
at  the  present  day,  with  many  among  us?  Some  say, 
that  the  injustice  and  oppression  of  England  are  the 
cause  of  our  present  war.  Others  say,  that  this  war 
was  unnecessary  and  unjust  on  our  part,  and  that  our 
own  government  deserves  all  the  blame.  But  neither 
of  them  speak  aright,  when  "no  man  repenteth  him  of 
his  wickedness,  saying.  What  have  I  done?"  For  we 
ought  to  consider  this  war,  as  a  judgment  of  God,  sent 
to  correct  us  for  our  sins,  let  who  may  be  the  instru- 
mental cause.  If  the  government  of  Great  Britain  be 
unrighteous  and  oppressive,  and  hath  forced  us  into 
the  war;  yet,  that  government  is  but  "the  rod  of  God's 
anger,  and  the  staif  in  thei/  hand  is  his  indignation." 
G(3d  hath  sent  that  nation  to  correct  us  for  our  sins. 
And  if  the  other  opinion  be  correct,  that  the  war  is  un- 
necessary and  unjust  on  our  part,  and  that  our  rulers 
have  imprudently,  or  wickedly,  forced  us  into  it;  those 
rulers,  which  are  chosen  by  the  majority  of  the  people, 

ii  -<^tiz    «!  zz\^i2zr     ■  —    ""     ----   -  —  -   —       --  —  -   —  - 


;^--       i^Z  -t^XiZt^^lSi 


^rtlXJ    aiV      VSS2L^a2  2k%«VA      &£S      S.2S%^ 


same  cause  with  them;  whose  interests  are  inseparable 


:■ 


duties  or 

not  have 
lot  pleas- 
in  a  war: 
I's  ways 
to  be  at 
)nfesi»ioii 
i  iiicum- 

ssession; 
and  it  is 
sins  have 
Let  not 
ir.  viii,  6, 
right:  no 
g,  What 
%  as  the 
ry  prone, 

0  further 
id  not  to 
the  case, 
)ine  say, 

1  are  the 
this  war 
that  our 
It  neither 
h  him  of 

For  we 
jod,  sent 
le  instru- 
iritain  be 

us  into 
of  God's 
^nation." 
our  sins, 
rar  is  un- 
ur  rulers 
it;  those 
e  people, 

iA      «r>     4-Ka 

separable 


{torn  the  public  interest; — if  those  rulers,  I  say,  be  the 
culpable  cause  of  our  war,  yet  they  are  but  an  instru- 
ment in  God*s  hand.  We  ought  to  consider  that  God 
hath  sent  this  war  upon  us,  and  that  he  sent  it,  because 
of  our  wickedness;  and  each  one  should  ask  his  own 
conscience,  **What  have  I  done?"  What  hand  have  I 
had  in  bringing  this  awful  judgment  upon  my  nation? 
And  each  one  should  repent  of  his  wickedness,  atid 
"amend  his  ways  and  doings;  cease  to  do  evil,  and 
learn  to  do  well." 

After  having  recommended  to  us  the  duties  of  re- 
pentance, amendment,  and  prayer  for  God's  merciful 
forgiveness,  the  proclamation  proceeds:  "And  especial- 
ly, of  offering  fervent  supplications,  that  in  the  present 
season  of  calamity  and  war,  he  would  take  the  Ameri- 
can people  under  his  peculiar  care  and  protection;  that 
he  would  guide  their  public  councils,  animate  their 
patriotism,  and  bestow  his  blessing  on  their  arms." 

If  ^ye  are  satisfied  that  our  cause  is  just,  and  that  the 
injustice  of  the  nation,  with  which  we  are  at  waV,  hath 
forced  us,  either  to  engage  in  war,  or  submit  to  a  greater 
evil,  we  shall  see  the  propriety  of  our  offering  up  such 
supplications:  For  we  need  the  protecting  hand  of  Di- 
vine Piovidence.  "The  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor 
the  battle  to  the  strong."  But,  if  God  v/ill  take  our 
natipn  under  his  peculiar  care  and  protection,  of  whom, 
or  of  what  nation,  need  we  to  be  afraid?  A  miraculous 
interposition  is  not  to  be  expected,  nor  desired;  there- 
fore it  is  recommended  to  us  to  pray,  "That  God  would 
guide  our  public  councils,  animate  our  patriotism,  and 
bestow  his  blessing  on  our  arms."  If  God  do  not 
guide  the  councils  of  our  nation,  and  inspire  them  with 
wisdom  and  prudence,  great  is  our  danger.  Wisdom 
is  the  gift  of  God.  And  "great  men  are  not  always 
wise."  Sometimes  the  councils  of  a  nation  are  in- 
fatuated, and  advise  to  measures,  which,  instead  of 
promoting  the  interest  of  the  nation,  will  bring  disap- 
pointment and  ruin. 

A  striking  instance  of  this  we  have  in  2  Sam.  xvii, 
14,  "And  Absalom  and  all  the  men  of  Israel  said,  the 
counsel  of  Husbai  the  Archite  is  better  than  the  coun- 
sel of  Ahithophel:  for  the  Lord  had  appointed  to  defeat 


giitoJ»AlU^»JWIMim!ilMi«LJi;^^ 


the  good  counsel  of  Ahithophel,  to  the  intent  that  the 
Lord  might  bring  evil  upon  Absalom." 

Ahithdphel  had  given  good  counsel,  that  is,  such  as 
would,  probably,  if  it  had  been  followed,  have  destroy- 
ed David,  and  promoted  Absalom's  cause.  But  Hushui, 
who  was  really  David's  friend,  and  Absalom's  only  in 
pretence,  gave  such  advice,  as  would,  if  followed,  pre- 
vent the  sudden  destruction  of  David,  and  eventually 
prove  the  ruin  of  Absalom.  The  people  followed  the 
advice  of  Hushai;  for  Absalom  and  all  the  people 
thought,  that  his  advice  was  better  than  that  of  Ahitho- 
phel: "For  the  Lord  had  appointed  to  defeat  the  good 
counsel  of  Ahithophel,  to  the  intent  that  the  Lord 
might  bring  evil  upon  Absalom."  We  see  by  this  in- 
stimce  the  importance  of  God's  guiding  our  public 
councils.  David  was  preserved,  and  Absalom  destroy- 
ed, by  means  of  God's  guiding  the  councils  of  ,tl^| 
nation. 

Our  country  hath  its  real  and  its  pretended  friends. 
No  doubt,  our  enemy  has  many  friends  among  us.  Their 
advice,  and  that  of  the  real  friends  of  our  country,  \yill 
be  very  different.  If  God  guide  our  public  councils, 
favourably  to  us,  that  advice  will  be  followed,  and  those 
measures  pursued,  which  are  best  calculated  to  promote 
our  interest  and  prosperity:  But  if  he  designs  to  bring 
evil  upon  us,  the  great  councils  of  our  nation  may  err 
in  judgment  and  policy,  and  recommend  and  pursue 
measures,  which  will  be  hurtful  to  us. 

That  he  would  "animate  their  patriotism."  This 
would  be  a  means  of  our  protection.  In  our  revolutionary 
war,  the  patriotism  and  zeal  for  liberty,  with  which 
people  were  then  inspired,  were  the  principal  means, 
under  God,  of  our  obtaining  success,  establishing  in- 
dependence, and  laying  a  foundation  for  our  present 
prosperity  and  greatness.  At  that  day,  we  were  a  very 
small  people,  in  comparison  with  what  we  now  are. 
We  were  then  destitute  of  experienced  officers  and 
soldiers;  destitute  of  all  the  implements  of  war;  desti- 
tute of  almost  all  kinds  of  manufactures,  and  not  able 
to  clothe  ourselves:  But  peoj  le  were  patriotic;  they 
lovcd  ihcii  couiiuy;  they  loved  tnat  iiOwrty,  lor  wuica 
their  fathers  had  left  their  native  country,  and  endured 


*■■"""-  ■'•^'"■•'<'=ii*i:i'aj,3»K^'! 


nt  that  the 

is,  such  as 
I'e  desiroyi. 
kit  Hushui, 
I's  only  in 
owed,  pre- 
cventually 
Uovved  the 
the  people 
of  Ahitno- 
it  the  (2food 
the  Lord 
by  this  in- 
cur public 
m  destroy*. 
:ils  of  ,tlj^; 

fed  friends, 
gus.  Their 
mntry,  will 
c  councils, 
1,  and  those 
to  promote 
lis  to  bring 
an  may  err 
and  pursue 

m."    This 

t'oluti(Miary 

irith  which 

pal  means, 

lishing  in- 

►ur  present 

were  a  very 

;  now  are. 

ifficers  and 

war;  desti- 

id  not  able 

iotic;  they 
.  #•_     _  i_  ?  _  I- 

,  lur  WUiwii 

id  endured 


the  hardships,  attendant  on  livinj;  in  a  wilderness;  they 
were  willing  to  deny  tlicmsclves,  and  forego  miiny  of 
their  comforts,  and  their  ease,  for  the  good  of  their 
country  and  posterity.  And  their  patriotism  and  zeal 
procured  for  us  the  great  privileges  which  we  now  pos- 
sess. With  propriety,  then,  it  is  recommended  to  us 
to  pray,  that  God  would  animate  the  patriotism  of  our 
nation.  Patriotism  is  as  necessary,  and  'vould  be  as 
useful,  now,  as  it  was  in  our  revolutionary  war.  It 
would  enable  us  pL  'ently  to  bear  many  deprivations,  en- 
dure hardships,  and  valiantly  encounter  danger,  if  neces- 
sary,  to  defend  our  rights,  mainta:n  our  independence, 
and  promote  our  national  prosperity. 

*'And    bestow  his  blessing  on  their  arms."      With- 
out God's   blessing,  it  is  in  vain  for  a  nation  to  raise 
aryii^,  and  send  them  forth  to  battle;  or  to  build  and 
equijrships  of  war,  to  encounter  the  enemy  on  the  sea. 
But  sometimes  it  is  the  duty  of  a  people  to  engage  in 
war,  and  use  armies  and  armed  ships;  it  bting  neces- 
sary, in  order  to  defend  their  lives,  their  property,  and 
their  just  and  invaluable  rights.     But  it  is  vain  to  trust 
in  an  arm  of  flesh.     Great  and  powerful  armies  have 
often  been  vanquished  by  a  foe,  which  they  despised. 
Witness  Burgoyne  and  Cornwallis,  in  our  revolutionary 
war.     They\vere  brave  British  generals,  each  com- 
manding an  army,  far  superior  to  any  these  r.tates  had 
to  oppose  to  them;  they  issued  out  haughf}'  proclama- 
tions, expressive  of  their  contempt  of  the  American 
armies,  and  boasting  of  the  power  of  their  nation:    But 
God  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  those,  whom  they 
had  despised.     A  boasting  proclamation  of  a  general 
hath  often  been  the  prelude  of  his  own  disgrace.     It  is 
dangerous  for  a  people  to  depend  on  the  greatness,  the 
skill,  or  courage  of  their  armies.     The  king  of  Israel 
gave  a  very  discreet  answer  to  a  boasting  message, 
which  had  been  sent  to  him  by  the  king  of  Syria:  (1 
Kings  XX,  11,)  '*Tell  him.  Let  not  him  that  girdethon 
the  harness  boast  himself,  as  he  that  putteth  it  off." 
God  can  save  by  many,  or  by  few.     If  God  bless  our 
orn^'^    ;i-.o.>;t-o  t1»o  i-»f»o'>^«  ^vult  t"»^t»''"^'^''*inn-  and  S'uide  our 

enemy 


publ 


go 


\xi 


11  restore  our  rights,  which  they  haAC  unjustly  taken 


>«Mnn 


10 

from  us;  make  restitution  for  the  property,  which  they 
have  piratically  taken  from  us;  and  release  from  captiv- 
ity and  cruel  servitude,  the  many  thousands  of  the  citi- 
zens of  these  states,  who  are  naw  wickedly  aini  inhu- 
manly held  ill  bondage,  and  compelled  to  expose  their 
lives,  in  fighting  against  their  own  friends  and  brethren. 
Further,  it  is  recommended  to  us,  in  the  proclama- 
tion, to  pray,  "That  God  weald  inspire  all  nations  with 
a  love  of  justice  and  of  .oncoid,  and  with  a  reverence 
for  the  unerring  precept  of  our  holy  religion,  to  do  (o 
"others  as  they  would  require  that  others'should  do  to 
them."     All  christians,  of  whatever  denomination,  or 
of  wl-  .tever  political  sentiments,  can,  and  will  comply 
with  this  recommeYidation:    For  it  is,  only  in  other 
worc!.>,  the  same  which  Christ  recommended  in  that 
form  of  prayer,  which  he  taught  his  disciples:  "Thy 
will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven."     It  is  God's 
revealed  will,  his  written  law,  that  men  should  do  to 
others,  as  they  would  wish  that  others  should  do  to 
them.  •  If  God  would  inspire  all  men,  and  ail  n^i:ons, 
v/ith  a  reverence  for  this  unerring  principle  of  our  holy 
religion,  oh!  how  happy  it  would  be  for  the    world! 
No  more  would  the  wretched  Africans  be  torn  from 
their  native  country  and  from  all  that  is  dear  to  them,, 
and  be  forced  into  cruel  slavery,   to  suffer,  groan,  and 
die,  under  the  rigorous  discipline  of  unfeeling  masters; 
no  more  would  tyrants  reign,  who  fill  their  numerous 
subjects  with    wretchedness   undescribable;  no  more 
should  we  hear  the  alarm  of  war;  no  more  would  there 
be  animosities  and  contentions  among  neighbors;  np 
more  would  the  poor  suffer  hunger,  and  begin  vain  for 
bread.    Oh!  what  evils  would  be  removed'  or  prevent- 
ed, by  all  nations  being  inspired  with  such  a  disposi- 
tion!  and  what  unspeakable  happiness  mankind  would 
i)ossess!  This  world  would  be  a  heaven! 

Our  proclamation  proceeds:  "And,  finally,  that  turn- 
ing  the  hearts  of  our  enemies  from  the  violence  and 
injustice  which  sway  their  councils  against  us,  He  would 
hasten  a  restoration  of  the  blessings  of  peace." 
^  Prov.  xxi,  1:  "The  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the 
ijord,  as  the  rivefs  of  water;  he  turneih  Ic  whithersoever 
he  will"    God  can  turn  the  hearts  of  our  enemies,  so 


,  which  they 
from  captiv- 
s  of  the  citi- 
y  aiKi  inhu- 
expose  their 
id  brethren, 
e  proclama- 
nations  with 
a  reverence 
)n,  to  do  (o 
loiild  do  to 
nination,  or 
will  comply 
ly  in  other 
ded  in  that 
pies:  "Thy 
It  is  God*s 
lould  do  to 
lould  do  to 
ail  n^i'ons, 
oCour  holy 
the    world! 

torn  from 
ar  to  them^ 
groan,  and 
ig  masters; 

numerous 
';  no  more 
I'ould  there 
2;hbors;  np 
in  vain  for 
Dr  prevent- 
I  a  disposi- 
Lind  would 

,  that  turn- 

?lence  and 

,  He  would 

:e." 

»and  of  the 

thersoever 

nemies,  so 


14 

that  they  will  lay  aside  their  injustice  and  cruelty,  whicii 
they  are  practising  towards  us,  and  treat  us  in  a  right- 
eous and  friendly  planner.  And  this  is  what  we  ought 
to  wish,  rather  than  to  desire  to  do  then\  harm.  And 
this  I  believe  to  be  the  sentiment  of  our  nation.  We 
bear  no  ill  will  to  the  English  nation;  we  descended 
from  them;  we  speak  their  language,  and,  on  many  ac- 
counts, feel  more  attached  to  them,  than  to  any  other 
nation:  otherwise,  I  presume,  we  should  not,  for  so  long 
a  time,  have  borne  with  the  injuries  and  insults,  which 
they  have  inflicted  upon  us,  without  resorting  to  war. 
I  cannot  think  that  our  government  would  have  borne 
so  long  with  any  other  nation,  which  had  treated  us  as 
England  has  done,  without  seeking  retaliation.  But 
we  wish  them  to  be  turned  from  their  violence,  injustice, 
and  oppression  towards  us;  then  we  should  joyfully 
disband  our  armies,  and  heartily  welcome  a  restoration 
of  the  blessings  of  ixjace. 

Now  let  us  consider  the  great  encouragement  we 
have  to  pray  at  this  time  of  our  nation's  trouble,  and 
the  argument  to  enforce  our  petition,  suggested  in  our 
text.  *'Our  fathers  trusted  in  thee:  they  trusted, 
and  thou  didst  deliver  them.  They  cried  unto  thee, 
and  were  delivered:  they  trusted  in  thee,  and  were  not 
confounded." 

The  words  of  our  text  will  naturally  lead  us  to 
turn  our  thoughts  to  the  history  of  our  fathers;-— our 
immediate  fathers,  the  generation  which  has  in  part  just 
grne,  and  the  remainder  of  which  is  rapidly  going,  off 
the  of  stage  life;  or  farther  back,our  ancestors,  the  first  civ- 
ilized settlers  of  this  country;  or  still  farther  back,  the 
saints  in  all  past  ages.  For  in  all  ages,  so  far  as  histo- 
ry, sacred  or  profane,  gives  us  any  account,  saints,  in  a 
time  of  trouble,  have  been  wont  to  pray  to  God;  and  he 
has  always  appeared  for  them  and  granted  them  relief. 
I  shall  cite  a  few  instances,  recorded  in  the  holy  scrip- 
tures: 2  Chron.  xx,  12;  "O  our  God,  wilt  thou  not 
judge  them?  for  we  have  no  ir/.ght  against  this  great 
company  that  cometh  against  us:  neither  know  we  what 
to  do,  but  our  eyes  are'upon  thee."  This  was  a  part 
of  the  prayer  of  the  good  king  jehoshaphat,  when  a  great 
armv  was  coming:  against  his  nation.    Ver.  10;  "And 


i 


;i 


iii.K»-  lftJ9NA^^car<  ssa.AV  jiSui 


T 


1^ 

lioW behold, the  children  of  Ammon,and  Moab,and  mount 
Seir,  whom  thou  wouldst  not  let  Israel  invade,  when 
they  came  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  Behold  I  say,  how 
they  reward  us,  to  come  to  cast  us  out  of  thy  posses- 
sion, which  thou  hast  given  us  to  inherit."  He  pleads 
the  injustice  of  his  enemies  as  well  as  their  power,  and 
the  righteousness  of  his  own  cause,  and  looked  to  God. 
Immediately  God  answered  him  in  these  words:  "Be 
not  afraid  nor  dismayed,  by  reason  of  this  great  multi- 
tude; for  the  battle  is  not  yours  but  God's.  Tomor- 
row go  ye  down  against  them:  Ye  shall  not  need  to 
fight  in  this  battle;  set  yourselves,  stand  ye  still,  and  see 
the  salvation  of  the  Lord  with  you,  O  Judah  and  Jeru- 
salem: fear  not,  nor  be  dismayed;  tomorrow  go  out 
against  them,  for  the  Lord  will  be  with  you."  And 
God  caused  the  numerous  hosts,  which  had  come 
against  Jehoshaphat,  to  fall  out  among  themselves, 
and  to  slay  one  another;  so  that  Jehoshaphat  had  noth- 
ing to  do,  but  to  gather  the  rich  spoil  of  their  enemies, 
and  return  to  Jerusalem  with  joy. 

Another  instance  we  have  in  Hezekiah  the  king,  and 
Isaiah  the  prophet,  when  Sennacherib  king  of  Assyria 
invaded  the  land  of  Judah,  and  sent  his  servants,  with 
an  insulting  message  to  Hezekiah,  and  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Jerusalem,  boasting  of  the  many  conquests, 
which  he  had  made,  and  even  blaspheming  and  defying 
the  God  of  Israel,  and  striking  the  people  with  a  pan- 
ic; 2  Cliron.  xxxii,  20:  "And  for  this  cause  Hezekiah 
the  king,  and  the  prophet  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz,  pray- 
ed and'cried  to  heaven.  And  the  Lord  sent  an  angel, 
which  cut  off  all  the  mighty  men  of  valor,  and  the  lead- 
ers and  captains  in  the  camp  of  the  king  of  Assyria:  so 
he  returned  with  shame  of  face  to  his  own  land." 

Many  other  instances,  similar  to  these,  are  recorded 
in  scripture,  of  ancient  saints  trusting  in  the  Lord  and 
praying,  in  time  of  war  and  other  calamities;  and  of  their 
obtaining  relief  in  that  way.  And  they  were  encour- 
aged to  do  it,  by  a  command  and  promise  of  God.  Ps. 
1,  15:  "Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble;  I  will  de- 
liver  thee." 

Our  ancestors,  the  first  civilized  inhabitants  of  this 
coutitry,   had  their  troubles:  they  were  persecuted  and 


b,and  mount 
vade,  when 
I  I  say,  how 
thy  posses- 
He  pleads 
power,  and 
ted  to  God. 
words:  "Be 
reat  multi- 
s.  Tomor- 
ot  need  to 
still,  and  see 
ih  and  Jeru- 
ow  go  out 
ou."  And 
1  had  come 
themselves, 
it  had  noth- 
sir  enemies, 

he  king,  and 
;  of  Assyria 
rvants,  with 
the  inhabi- 
j  conquests, 
and  defying 
rith  a  pan- 
je  Hezekiah 
\.moz,  pray- 
nt  an  angel, 
nd  the  lead- 
Assyria:  so 
nd." 

ire  recorded 
e  Lord  and 
and  of  their 
ere  encour- 
ofGod.  Ps. 
le;  I  will  de- 

)itants  of  this 
'secuted  and 


I 


13 

driven  from  their  native   country,  on  account  of  their 
religion:  They  were  not  allowed,  in  their  native  coun- 
try, to  worship  God,  according  to  the  dictates  of  their 
own  conscience,  taking  the  scriptures  for  their  directo- 
ry.    They  were  under  the  necessity  of  conforming  to 
that  mode  of  worship,  which  the  government  of  Eng- 
land had  established,  which   they  conscientiously  be- 
lieved to  be  unscriptural;  or  to  leave  their  native  land, 
with  all  the  delights  and  luxuries  of  an  old  settled  coun- 
try, to  hazard  their  lives  in  crossing  a  wide  and  tem- 
pestuous ocean,  and   to  settle  down  in  an  uncultivated 
wilderness,  the  dreary  mansion  of  wild  beasts  and  sav- 
ages. They  chose  the  latter;  for  they  loved  liberty,  and 
"that  religion  which  we  profess."     They  had  to  strug- 
gle with  many  difficulties;  famine,  sickness,  and  wars 
with  the  savages,  who  were  numerous,  when  M<?^  were 
but  few  in  number.     They  had  no  aid  from  their  par- 
ent country:  But  they  were  pious;  they  prayed  and  put 
their  trust  in  G  >d,  and  were  preserved. 

Our  immediate  fathers,  that  generation,  of  which 
some  are  yet  alive,  (though  the  greater  part  have  fallen 
asleep)  had  war, — a  distressing  war,  which  continued 
seven  or  eight  years, — and  with  the  same  nation, 
with  which  we  are  now  at  war.  They  were  forced 
into  war,  by  the  unjust  and  oppressive  treatment,  which 
they  received  from  that  nation,  from  which  they  de- 
scende.!;  similar  to  the  treatment,  which  we  have  been 
receiving  from  them,  ever  since  we  became  an  independ- 
ent nation.  It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  our  fath- 
ers entered  into  that  war;  for  they  considered  the  con- 
test to  be  unequal.  England  was  powerful  by  land  and 
sea,  and,  at  the  commencement  of  that  war,  was  not 
in  a  state  of  hostility  with  any  other  nation  to  divide 
her  forces.  Our  fathers  had  no  regular  troops;  no  force 
upon  sea  or  land,  compared  with  that  of  their  enemy. 
But  they  considered  their  cause  to  be  good,  and  that 
they  were  in  duty  boun^l  to  attempt  to  defend  those 
rights  and  privileges,  which  God  had  given  them,  and 
which  had  been  ver}-^  costly  to  their  fathers,  and^to  re- 
tain them  if  possible,  to  be  transmitted  to  their  children, 
and  generations  unborn.  They  made  use  of  what 
atrcngth  they  had;  used  what  means  tney  could  to  ue^ 
fend  themselves;  trusted  in  God,  and   prayed.     And 


nvs'G^'fflannaBraMwiuiiwwjn 


14 


God  delivered  them:  He  raised  up  a  Washington  tp 
lead  their  armies,  and,  under  God,  to  save  their  coun. 
try.  He  also  raised  up  many  other  brave  officers  and 
soldiers,  and  ''taught  their  hands  to  war,  and  their  fin- 
gers to  fight."  He  also  raised  up  able  and  patriotic 
statesmen  and  poHticians,  to  take  the  helm,  and  guide 
the  affairs  of  our  nation.  He  inspired  the  leaders  of  the 
several  Colonies  (as  these  states  then  were)  with  a  spirit 
of  unanimity  and  patriotism.  From  New  Hampshire  to 
Georgia,  inclusively,  the  Colonies  formed  a  union;. 
though  previous  to  that  time,  they  had  had  but  little 
acquaintance  with  one  another,  and  their  forms  of  gov- 
ernment, their  habits  and  interests  were  diverse;  yet  they 
"were  inspired  with  patriotism  and  love  of  liberty;  they 
renounced  all  local  interests;  became  united  as  a  band 
of  brothers,  and  ^iiade  a  common  cause  of  all  the  suf- 
ferings or  interests  of  each  Colony. 

At  that  time  also  the  clergy  in  New  England  were 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  liberty;  they  exhorted  and  an^ 
imated  the  people  to  make  resistance  to  the  oppressive 
acts  of  Great  Britain,  and  were  very  influential  in  ef-. 
fecting  the  independence  of  our  country.  By  doing 
which,  they  incurred  the  great  displeasure  of  their  en^ 
emy;  so  that,  wherever  the  troops  of  their  enemy  had 
an  opportunity,  they  shewed  their  resentment  and  spite, 
by  setting  on  fire  meeiing  houses,  and  abusing  and 
killing  ministers.  Several  places  in  New  England  can 
witness  to  their  meeting  houses  having  been  injuredj 
defaced,  set  on  fire,  or  utterly  destroyed. 

The  reverend,  venerable,  and  patriotic  President  of 
Yale  College  at  that  time,  where  he  alive,  could  wit- 
ness to  the  abusive  and  insulting  language,  which  he 
received  from  them,  when  a  prisoner  and  in  their  pow- 
er; and  the  heavy  and  cruel  blows,  inflicted  upon  him, 
with  their  guns,  which,  though  not  instantaneously, 
probably  occasioned  his  death.*  And  the  amiable  and 
pious  Caldwell,  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  New  Jersey, 
were  he  alive,  could  relate  a  more  aflfecting  story;  he 
could  tell  you,  that  when  his  wife,  an  amiable  lady 
wjs  sitting  in  her  house,  with  her  little  domestic  circle 
firound  her,  and  her  infant  in  her  arms,  (he  himself  be^ 

*  Rev.  Naptl\ali  Dagget. 


hlngton  to 
their  coun. 
)fficers  and 
t  their  fin^ 
id  patriotic 
and  guide 
iders  of  the 
ivith  a  spirit 
impshire  to 
1  a  iinion;^ 
I  but  little 
ms  of  gov- 
■se;  yet  they 
sertyj  they 
il  as  a  band 
ill  the  suf* 


igland  were 
ed  and   an- 

oppressive 
ential  in  ef- 

By  doing 
)f  their  en- 
eneniy  had 
kt  and  spite, 
lusing  and 
England  can 
m  injuredj 

'resident  of 

could  vvit- 

,  which  he 

their  pow- 

upon  him, 

ntaneously, 

imiable  and 

^cw  Jersey, 

ig  story;  he 

niable   lady 

estic  circle 

himself  be-r 


15 

ing  absent)  a  British  barbarian  pointed  his  musket  into 
the  window  of  her  Toom,  and  instantly  shot  her  dead; 
that  her  body  was  thrown  into  a  hole,  and  the  house, 
in  which  she  was,  set  on  fii^e  and  consumed  with  all 
the  property  it  contained;  he  would  tell  you,  that  this 
horrible  affair,  the  murder  of  his  wife,  deliberately  and 
without  provocation,  was  never  frowned  upon  by  the 
British  commander; — he  would  also  tell  you,  that  the 
houses,  dedicated  to  public  Worship,  in  his  vicinity, 
did  not  escape  their  fury.  But  his  voice  is  silent  in 
death.  Within  two  years  after  the  death  of  his  amia- 
ble and  delicate  wife,  he  himself  was  murdered,  by  an 
assassin.* 

At  that  day.  Christians,  in  all  parts  of  our  country, 
betook  themselves  to  prayer;  there  were  Continental 
fasts;  Colony  fasts;  prayer  meetings,  frequently,  in  in- 
dividual churches,  and  parishes,  and  neighborhoods. 
Some  of  you,  my  hearers,  well  remember  these  things: 
For  the  church  and  its  ^worthy  minister  in  this  place, 
at  that  day,  were  forward  and  zealous  in  that  just  cause 
of  defending  the  rights  and  liberty  of  their  country, 
both  by  praying,  and  by  fighting.  And  God  grant  that 
their  successors  may  ever  continue  to  imitate  their  ex- 
ample! 

God,  v.'ho  inspired  our  fathers  with  patriotism,  with 
zeal  for  liberty,  with  courage  to  assert  their  rights,  with 
prudence  to  use  what  means  of  defence  they  had  in 
their  power,  and  to  look  to  the  Divine  Ruler  of  the  uni- 
verse for  his  protection;  that  God  heard  their  prayers; 
disappointed  their  enemies;  G;ave  them  independence, 
civil  and  religious  liberty,  ,-.  :i  the  best  constitution 
and  form  of  government  in  the  world. 

In  consequence  of  that  patriotism;  and  those  exer- 
tions of  our  fathers,  attended  with  the  blessing  of  God, 
we  have  lived,  several  years,  in  peace  and  prosperity; 
and  have  increased  in  wealth  and  population,  beyond 
all  former  example  ur  precedent.  England  hath  ever 
since  envied  and  hated  us;  hath  oppressed  and  injured 
us;  hath  endeavored  to  prevent  our  growth,  and   hath 


A\\ 


IIJX,     t  villi     1-!i        \.Tlti  V.-w-tlSSISVS  ^t. 


;l 


and  navigation.     Unrighteous  rules  and  orders  have 

•  Mrs.  Warren's  Mist.  ot'Uie  Amevican  War,  Vol.ii,  p.  2C3. 


A>'A««MHMr>t^ntM 


■-J*' 


it 


i?  ff- 


16  • 

been  established  by  the  government  of  that  nation, 
one  after  another,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  our  prop, 
erty,  contrary  to  all  the  established  laws  of  nations; 
which  were  encroaching  un  our  rights,  and  humiliating 
to  an  independent  nation.  We  have  remonstrated,  and 
persisted  in  remonstrating;  having  sent  ambassador 
after  ambassador;  envoy  after  envoy,  to  endeavor  to 
bring  that  government  to  a  sense  of  justice:  but  all  in 
vain  The  more  we  have  condescended,  and  mani- 
fested patience,  the  more  insolent  and  oppressive  they 
became:  until  at  last,  they  have  compelled  us,  either  to 
submit  to  them,  as  ignoble,  dependent  colonies,  or  de- 
fend our  rights  by  war.  After  long  and  calm  deliber- 
ation, our  national  government  chose  the  latter.  War 
is  declared.  And  now  we  are  called  upon,  intimida- 
tion of  the  example  of  our  fathers,  to  look  to  God  lor 

^O'ur  cause  is  as  just  as,  and  very  similar  to,  jte©f 
our  fathers.  What  was  the  cause  of  their  war?  1  he 
English  Parliament  claimed  the  right  of  makmg  laws, 
binding  on  their  Colonies,  in  all  cases  whatever.  Our 
fathers  denied  their  having  such  a  right,  and  remon- 
strated against  that  exhorbitant  claim,  as  they  were  not 
represented  in  that  Parliament.  But  to  establish  their 
claim,  several  laws  were  enacted,  imposing  duties  and 
laying  taxes  on  the  Colonies,  with  which  our  fathers 
refused  to  comply.  Then  several  other  unrighteous 
and  cruel  laws  were  enacted,  to  punish,  and  terrify  in- 
to submission,  refractory  towns  and  colonies;  'till  our 
fathers  perceived,  that  they  must  relinquish  all  their 
liberty  and  privileges,  and  became  the  slaves  oi  the 
British  Parliament,  or  take  the  sword,  and  fight  for  their 
liberty.  They  heroically  declared  that,  "They  would 
be  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  to  no  nation 
under  heaven;"  declared  their  independence,  fought,  and 
conquered,  and  maintained  their  rirhts. 

What  is  the  cause  of  our  present  war?  Various  op- 
pressive and  unrighteous  acts  have  been  established  by 
the  English  government,   infringing  upon  our  rights 

.  °,  J        .  J  ......1    _„!.: TUo.r  Koi'n       Un- 

as an  independent  ana  ncuuiu  nauuu.    i«iv,jr  ix«,v.,   «».- 

lawfully,    taken  a  large   number   of  our    merchant 

ships,  containingmuch property;  theyhave  fired  upon  our 


that  nation, 
our  prop- 
3f  nations; 
humiliating 
strated,  and 
ambassador 
endeavor  to 
but  all  in 

and  mani- 
ressive  they 
JS)  either  to 
nies,  or  de- 
ilm  dcliber- 
latter.  War 
n,  in  imita- 

to  God  for 

r  to, that  ©f 
<-  war?  The 
laking  laws, 
tever.     Our 

and  remon- 
ey  were  not 
tablish  their 
g  duties  and 

our  fathers 
unrighteous 
id  terrify  in- 
ies;  'till  our 
ish  all  their 
laves  01  the 
ight  for  their 
They  would 
)  no  nation 
,  fought,  and 

Various  op- 
tablished  by 
1  our  rights 

r  merchant 
red  upon  our 


17 

vessels,  national  armed  vessels,  and  unarmed  coasters, 
and  killed  a  number  of  our  citizens,  even  within  the 
limits  of  our  own  territories;  and  that  government  in- 
stead of  punishing  their  officers,  who  were    guilty  of 
such  murderous  conduct,  have  promoted  them  to  high- 
er honors,  thereby  shewing  their  approbation  of  their 
iniquitous   actions; — they   have   forcibly  taken   many 
of  our  seaman  out  oi  our   vessels   on   the   high    seas, 
thereby  exposing  those  vessels  to   destruction,  for  the 
want  of  hands;  and  many  others,  within   the   limits  of 
our  jurisdiction.     By  such  a  mode  of  impressing  sea« 
men,  many  of  our  citizens  have  been  cruelly  torn  from 
their  country,  from  their  families,  and  from  every  thing 
dear  to  them;  have  been  deprived   of  their  Uberty,  and 
doomed  to  an  ignominious  and  slavish   bondage;  they 
have    been  forced  to  fight,    on  board  of  British  ships, 
against  those  who  were  amicably  disposed  towards  th^ 
United  States;  they  have  been  liable  to  be  sent  into  dis- 
tant  parts,  and  into  unhealthy  climates;  they  have  been 
forced  to  hazard  their  lives,    (and   many  of  them   no 
doubt  to  lose  them)  in  fighting  the   battles  of  their  op- 
pressors, against  their  own  friends  and  brethren;  they 
are  forced  into  such  a  situation,  that  they  may  be  the 
unisappy  instruments  of  taking  away  the  lives   of  their 
own  brethren,  or  be  killed  by  them.     Shocking  to  hu- 
manitv!  This  is  the  conduct  of  that  nation,  which  is  fa- 
mous  (though  undeservedly)  for  humanity,  liberty,  and 
religion. 

Great  Britain  hath  arrogantly  claimed  the  right,  be- 
cause she  has  the  power,  to  rule  over  all  the  ocean, 
and  suffer  no  vessel  to  sail  upon  it,  or  carry  on  com- 
merce any  where,  but  according  to  her  direction  and 
permission;  she  hath  subjected  to  capture  and  condem- 
nation all  our  vessels,  which  do  not  pray  tribute  to  her, 
and  sail  under  her  permit.  Who  is  not  filled  with  as- 
tonishment at  such  arrogance  as  this?  *'Be  astonished, 
O  ye  heavens  at  diis!"  Did  England  create  the  ocean? 
We  read  in  Ps.  scv,  5,  speaking  of  Jehovah,  "The  se^ 
is  his,  and  he  made  it."  Hath  the  Maker  of  the  sea 
given  to  England  an  exclusive  title  to  it?  No:  God  is 
no  respecter  of  persons;  all  nations  are  his  ereatufes,  uis 
3 


'..-iSM-  ^'  ^jswaft-i 


'^■vs'i'^a^^rtm'iM^m  wM>w»  WujslW 


18 


children,  as  well  as  the  English;  and  all  nations  have 
an  equal  right  to  use  the  ocean.  If  Great  Britain  had 
power  sufficient,  they  would  have  an  equal  right  to  ex- 
clude all  nations  but  their  own,  from  the  use  of  the  at- 
mosphere, as  they  have  to  prohibit  them  the  use  of  the 
ocean.  The  sun,  the  air,  and  the  ocean,  God  hath 
made  for  the  use  of  mankind  in  comnion.  England 
hath  usurped  the  dominion  of  the  ocean,  and  by  vir- 
tue of  that  claim,  hath,  for  several  years,  been  making 
war  upon  our  commerce. 

To  acquiesce  in  such  an  unrighteous  and  arrogant 
claim,  must,  to  these  United  States,  be  a  most  mortify- 
ing humiliation.  It  would  be  base  submission  in  us, 
not  to  resist  it,  with  determmate  resolution.  It  would 
be  injuring  our  posterity  to  surrender  such  an  invaluable 
privilege,  as  we  should,  by  a  compliance  with  that  claim. 
We  are  the  guardians  of  our  posterity;  it  is  our  duty  to 
defend  this  privilege,  and  transmit  it  down  to  thetn;  as 
our  fathers  did  to  us. 

There  is  no  rooui  to  doubt  but  that  the  British 
government  has  excited  the  savage  tribes  orr  our  fron- 
tiers to  acts  of  hostility  against  us;  and  that  they  have 
furnished  them  with  the  implements  of  war,  adapted 
to  their  barbarous  mode  of  fighting;  when  they  knew  it 
to  be  their  custom  to  kill,  indiscriminately,  men,  women, 
children,  aged  people,  and  infants,  inhumanly  mangling 
their  bodies.  Thisy  we  believe,  the  English  govern- 
ment hath  done,  and  is  now  doing. 

In  addition  to  the  long  list  of  injuries,  which  they 
have  done  to  us,  they  have  attempted  to  dismember 
our  union,  and  destroy  our  excellent  form  of  govern- 
ment; they  have  attempted  to  excite  in  our  citizens  a 
spirit  of  discontent,  and  insurrection  against  the  consti- 
tuted authorities  and  laws  of  the  nation.  And,  what  ag- 
gravates that  horrible  conduct,  they  had  a  secret  agent 
in  this  country,  endeavoring  to  effect  these  mischievous 
things,  at  a  time  when  Great  Britain  and  these  states 
were  amicably  negociating  for  a  friendly  accommoda- 
tion of  their  differences;  and  when  Britain  was  making 
great  nretenr. inn  tn  friendr.hin. 


^T^^SBW^WC'WW^' .- 


■wv^ 


^tions  have 
Britain  had 
right  to  ex- 
le  of  I  he  at- 
r  use  of  the 
God  hath 
England 
and  by  vir- 
en  making 

d  arrogant 
Dst  mortify- 
=sion  in  v.s, 
It  would 
\  invaluable 
I  that  claim, 
our  duty  to 
;  to  thetn;  as 

the  British 
T  our  fron- 
t  they  have 
ir,  adapted 
ley  knew  it 
ien,  women, 
y  mangling 
sh   govern- 

which  they 
dismember 
of  govern- 
r  citizens  a 
the  consti- 
id,  whatag- 
lecret  agent 
riischievous 
hese  states 
:commoda- 
i^as  making 


19 

The  acts,  orders  and  claims  of  the  English  govern- 
ment are  equivalent  to  demanding  of  us  a  surrendry  of 
our  rights  as  an  independent  nation,  and  to  submit 
again  to  be  her  colonies.  We  say,  we  will  not.  This 
is  rhe  dispute  to  be  decided.  Our  government  has 
been  attempting  for  years  to  settle  all  our  differences, 
by  calm  reasoning  and  friendly  negociation;  but  Eng- 
land hath  refused:  It  must  now  be  decided  by  war. 

Our  fathers,  being  satisfied  that  their  cause  was  just, 
exerted  themselves,  trusted  in  God,  prayed,  and  proved 
successful.  We  ought  to  do  the  same.  We  ought  to 
pray,  trust  in  God,  and  endeavor  to  defend  ourselves. 
We  ought  unanimously  to  support  our  national  govern- 
ment, and  aid  it  in  drawing  forth  the  resources  and 
power  of  our  nation.  The  more  energetical  our  meas- 
ures are,  on  first  enteri'  g  into  this  war,  the  shorter, 
probably,  will  be  its  continuance.  Vigorous  exertions 
will  be  likely,  in  a  short  time,  to  give  us  an  honorable 
peace,  which  is,  and  ought  to  be,  our  sole  motive  to 
engage  in  war. 

Let  us,  .above  all  things,  put  our  trust  in  God,  and 
endeavor,  by  our  sincere  repentance,  and  humble  and 
fervent  prayer,  to  engage  the  Lord  of  Hosts  on  our 
side.  And  let  us  use  all  prudent  means  to  defend  our 
rights.  And,  as  a  principal  means,  let  us  endeavor  to 
rnaintain  union  and  concord  among  ourselves.  The 
rights  and  privileges  which  we  enjoy  in  a  more  emi- 
nent degree  than  any  other  nation,  are  many  and  exceed- 
ingly valuable.  We  have  an  excellent  constitution  of 
national  government;  devised  by  men  of  knowledge, 
wisdom,  and  patriotism;  calculated  to  insure  to  every 
class  of  people  the  rights  of  man;  and  which  was  re- 
ceived and  ratified,  bv  a  large  majority  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States.  The  people  have  a  constitution  of 
their  own  choice;  and  rulers,  wHo  are  bound,  by  their 
oath,  to  be  regulated  by  that  «istitution,  chosen  by 
the  people  themselves,  and  that  only  for  a  short  term; 
which  lays  them  under  a  strong  obligation,  and  holds 
out  to  them  a  weighty  inducement,  to  aim  at  the  public 
good.    This  is  a  greater  privilege,  of  a  civil  nature, 


20 


I    ^ 


than  is  enjoyed  by  any  other  people  in  the  world.    Oh! 
let  us  defend  this  constitution,  and  hold  fast  this  liberty. 

This  constitution  prudently  points  out  where  and 
with  whom  the  important,  and  dangerous,  power  of 
making  war  shall  be  lodged.  It  is  not  intrusted  with 
an  individuul,  who,  provoked  by  some  personal  insult, 
or  impelled  by  some  violent  passion,  might  involve  a 
nation  in  the  calamities  of  war,  whenever  he  should 
please;  or  keep  them  in  perpetual  war,  when  not  for  the 
interest  of  the  nation,  to  gratify  his  own  ambition,  that  he 
might  proceed  from  conquering  to  conquer;  it  is  not 
intrusted  with  an  individual  Slate,  or  section  of  the 
Union,  whose  local  interest  nught  indace  them  to  make 
war,  when  the  other  parts  of  the  ation  would  prefer 
peace;  it  is  not  intrusted  with  an  individual  cla':s  of 
men,  who,  to  promote  their  selfish  interest,  would  keep 
off  a  war,  when  the  honor  and  invaluable  rights  of  the 
nation,  without  a  war,  must  be  sacrificed; — But  the 
power  of  making  war  is  given  to  the  representatives  of 
the  people  of  all  the  United  States,  assembled  in  Con- 
gress, who  will  know  and  possess  the  feelings  of  the 
majority  of  the  people.  Thus  that  very  important  power 
is  committed  to  the  safest  trust. 

It  is  therefore  our  duty  and  interest  to  obey  our  own 
laws;  laws  made  by  our  own  representatives;  by  men, 
who  became  legislators  by  our  express  desire.  Those, 
therefore,  who  are  exciting  people  to  disobey  our  laws 
and  rulers,  are  doing  wrong;  they  are  doing  what  their 
own  conscience,  if  not  seared,  does  condemn. 

Those,  who  are  attempting  to  effect  a  dissolution  of 
the  union  of  these  States,  are  wicked  and  impolitic.  We 
have  sufficient  reason  for  believing  that  there  are  such 
men  among  us.  We  have  reason  to  fear  that  the  British 
emissaries,  which  have  been  sent  among  us,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  disaffecting  people  towards  their  own  govern- 
ment, and  effecting  a  dismemberment  of  these  States, 
have  been  too  successful.  Otherwise  how  can  we  ac- 
count for  the  many  private  conventions,  which  have 
been  held,  and  for  a  larger  one  being  proposed;  and  for 
many  speeches  and  resolves,  which  have  been  publish- 
ed, tending  to  effect  that  separation? 


ftl 


oriel.  Oh! 
his  liberty, 
where  and 
,  power  of 
Ubted  with 
3nal  insult, 
:  involve  a 
he  should 
not  for  the 
ion,  thut  he 
r;  it  is  not 
tion  of  the 
m  to  make 
ould  prefer 
lal  class  of 
would  keep 
ghts  of  the 
— But  the 
.ntatives  of 
led  in  Con- 
ings  of  the 
riant  power 

*y  our  own 
s;  by  men, 
?.  Those, 
y  our  laws 
what  their 

• 

•solution  of 
lolitic.  We 
re  are  such 
the  British 
for  the  pur- 
ivn  govern- 
ese  States, 
can  we  ac- 
i^hich  have 
ied;  and  for 
en  nublish- 


Such  conduct  is  wicked^  as  it  has  a  tendency  to 
weaken  or  destroy  our  government,  and  thereby  endan- 
ger the  liberty  and  rights  of  the  people;  as  it  has  a  ten- 
dency to  set  at  variance  brethren  and  most  intimate 
friends;  as  it  tends  to  confirm  the  opinion  of  those,  who 
believe  that  republican  government  is  impracticable,  and 
that  the  whole  of  mankind  were  created  only  to  serve 
the  purpose  of  a  few  t}  rants  and  lordlings,  thus  degrad- 
ing human  nature  to  the  level  of  brutes,  and  casting  a 
blasphemous  reproach  upon  the  great  Creator  of  all 
things; — as  its  tendency  is  thus  to  destroy  the  peace 
and  happiness  of  our  community  and  of  individuals,  it 
is  xmcked. 

It  is  impolitic;  as  the  strength  and  prosperity  of  our 
nation,  if  not  its  very  existence,  depend  on  the  union 
of  the  States,  of  which  it  is  composed.  The  maxim  of 
the  English  government,  and  its  poliv^.y  concerning  these 
States,  are,  and  ever  have  been,  .J)ivide  and  conquer. 
And  it  is  written  in  the  unerring  book  of  truth  Matt, 
xii,  25;  "Every  kingdom  divided  against  iiself  is 
brought  to  desolation:  and  every  city  or  house  divided 
against  itself  shall  not  stand."  Any  part  of  these  states 
cannot  be  separated  from  the  other  peaceably:  If  such 
an  event  ever  takes  place,  it  will  be  ihe  effect  of  some 
violent  convulsion,  and  bloody  civil  war.  One  half  of 
the  people  in  New  England,  without  doubt,  feel  their 
obligation,  and  also  an  inclination,  to  support  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States;  and,  rather  than  to  be 
severed  from  the  Union,  and  relinquish  a  republican 
government,  would  maintain  a  severe  struggle,  which 
might  occasion  a  neighbor  to  kill  his  neighbor,  and  a 
brother  to  imbrue  his  hands  in  his  brother's  blood. 

Furthermore,  all  the  United  States  are  under  obliga- 
tion to  support  a  republican  government  in  each  State, 
and  quell  any  insurrection  or  rebellion,  which  may  arise 
in  any  part  of  the  union.  If  any  of  our  citizens,  then, 
impelled  by  their  ambition,  their  aversion  to  republican- 
ism, their  attachment  to  the  government  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, or  any  other  evil  demon,  are  wishing  and  endeav- 
oring to  dissolve  the  union  of  these  States,  they  are 
wickedf  impolitic,  infatuated. 


( 


What  is  the  prospect  before  us,  if  these  Eastern 
Stales  should  be  separated  from  the  Union?  The  New 
England  Stales  have  thrived  and  prospered,  by  com- 
merce and  navigation;  and  their  long  established  habit 
will  lead  them  still  to  seek  their  livelihood  by  the  same 
means.  New  England  cannot  relinquish  this  calling. 
This  was  well  understood  by  the  representatives  of  the 
Southern  and  Western  States  in  Congress,  and  to  favor 
this  part  of  the  Union,  and  promote  the  general  interest 
of  the  nation;  and  to  protect  commerce  and  navigation 
in  particular,  have  been  the  great  objects  of  the  pursuit 
of  our  national  government,  and  the  occasion  of  the 
measures,  which,  for  years  past,  they  have  pursued.  It 
was,  with  a  particular  design  to  favor  the  commercial 
States,  that  the  Embargo  acts  so  offensive  to  many, 
were  passed.  Congress  believed  that  it  was  a  measure, 
more  likely  to  succeed  In  defending  our  commercial 
rights,  than  any  other  they  could  devise.  The  South- 
ern Spates  suffered  by  it,  in  their  private  interest,  equally 
with  the  Northern:  But  they,  with  becoming  patriotism, 
consented  to  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  commercial  sections 
of  the  Union.  Ho\('  unfounded  and  ungrateful,  then, 
is  the  charge  of  being  opposed  to  commerce,  alleged 
against  them,  by  some  members  of  these  Northern 
States;  which  charge  is  calculated  to  alienate  ui  fc;(t- 
tions  of  the  people  from  one  another,  and  b  <v.g  aDout 
a  separation  of  the  States! 

When  this  measure  was  relinquished  by  the  govern- 
ment, because  it  was  so  offensive  to  manv,  the  nonim- 
portation s^/stem  was  substituted.  And  it  was  opposed 
equally  a?  the  preceding  measure  had  been,  by  the  same 
party.  \  iu)i  Congress  proceeded  to  declare  war;  for 
they  wer^  determined  to  protect  our  commerce,  and  the 
freedom  of  the  ocean.  Suffer  not  then  yourselves  to 
be  so  deceived  and  imposed  upon,  by  the  suggestion 
that  the  present  administration  is  unfriendly  to  com- 
merce, as  to  consent  to  a  dissolution  of  the  union  of 
these  States.  Such  a  rash  measure  would  be  the  ruin 
of  these  Eastern  States,  or  at  least  the  destruction  of 
their  eommprpp.       Tf  tK*>oo  1?n<»/>..«    c»„t.^»  ~ji *- 

their  Sister  States,  and  support  the  union,  their  shipping 


ese  Eastern 
The  New 
id,  by  com- 
lished  habit 
3y  the  same 
:his  calling, 
lives  of  the 
and  to  favor 
Tal  interest 
i  navigation 
the  pursuit 
sion  of  the 
mrsued.  It 
commercial 
2  to  many, 
a  measure, 
commercial 
rhe  South- 
est,  equally 
patriotism, 
;ial  sections 
iteful,  then, 
ce,  alleged 
;  Northern 

)vxv;g  about 

he  govern- 
:he  nonim- 
as  opposed 
>y  the  same 
'e  war;  for 
ce,  and  the 
urselves  to 
suggestion 
ly  to  com- 
;  union  of 
ie  the  ruin 
truction  of 

ir  shipping 


2S 

will  be  employed  to  transport  to  market  the  rich  pro- 
ductions of  the  plantations  oflhe  Southern  and  Western 
States.  But,  if  we,  by  separating,  cause  thosfe  States* 
to  become  our  enemies,  can  wc  expect  to  have  our  ship- 
ping err^ployed  by  them?  We  shall  be  to  them  a  for- 
eign nation;  and  not  always  upon  friendly  terms. 

Will  England  employ  our  shipping?  Certainly  they 
will  not;  for  they  have  enough  of  their  own.  And  the 
principal  ground  of  all  our  differences  with  England  is 
the  great  increase  of  our  shipping,  together  with  the 
enterprising  spirit  of  our  mercantile  men. 

If  the  iJnited  States  support  their  union  and  their 
^  government,  the  important  and  interesting  rights  of  our 
commercial  men  will  be  protected.  England  will  be 
coerced  to  remove  the  embarrassments,  which  have  ob- 
structed our  commerce.  But  these  Eastern  States, 
nlonej  will  not  be  able  to  protect  their  rights.  The 
Southern  and  Western  States  can  iiave  as  good  sale  for 
the  productions  of  their  plantations,  if  carried  in  Eng- 
lish ships,  as  if  in  American.  The  consequence,  then, 
of  separating  these  States  would  be,  that  England 
would  have  the  carrying  trade,  and  be  the  friend  of  the 
southern  section  of  the  Union;  and  the  shipping  of  these 
Eastern  States  must  be  greatly  diminished,  and  the 
remainder  be  controlled  by  English  laws. 

The  New  England  States,  if  separated  from  the 
others,  would  assuredly  be  subjected  by  Great  Britain; 
if  not  really  to  be  her  colony,  to  that  which  is  almost 
tantamount;  to  be  allowed  no  foreign  trade,  without 
her  permit.  From  such  an  evil,  and  from  such  dis- 
grace, good  Lord  deliver  us! 

It  is  the  duty  of  a  watchman,  when  he  sceth  ev": 
coming,  to  give  warning.  Ezek.  xxxii,  2;  "When  I 
bring  the  sword  upon  a  land,  if  the  people  of  the  L.;.  ^ 
take  a  man  of  their  coasts,  and  set  him  for  their  watch- 
man: If  when  he  seeth  the  sword  come  upon  the  land^. 
he  blow  the  trumpet,  and  warn  the  people;  then  who- 
soever  heareth  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  and  takethnot 
warning;  if  the  sword  come  and  take  him  away,  his 
blood  shali  be  upon  his  own  head." 


•«..  < 


ft  •( 


/ 


/ 


.♦• 


m 

11 


24 

I  am,  ii7  Divine  Providence,  set  as  a  watchman  upon 
this  part.of  the  wall  of  the  spiritual  Jerusalem.  I  feel  it 
to  be  my  cU'*/  to  give  warnini^,  not  only  when  I  perceive 
my  flock  exposed  to  spiritual  enemies;  but  also  when 
in  Jari^er  of  great  temporal  evils.  Indeed  this  consid- 
enition  hath  induced  me  to  deliver  the  present  dis- 
course; though  I  have,  heretofore,  said  but  little,  in  this 
sacred  desk,  upon  any  political  subject.  But  the  pres- 
ent is  an  interesting  crisis,  therefore  I  cannot,  consist- 
ently with  faithfulness,  keep  silence.  I  do  therefore 
solemnly  warn  all  my  hearers  to  consider  the  importance 
of  obeying  the  laws' of  our  national  government,  and 
living  in  peace  among  ourselves,  liepuhlican  govern- 
ment is  incompatible  with  mobs  and  insurrections.  All 
evils,  which  can  luRe  place  under  a  republican  govern- 
ment, can,  in  a  constitutional  way,  be  removed  and  re- 
dressed. If  evils  arise  from  individuals,  the  law  will 
defend  and  redress  the  injured; — if  from  any/flw/of  the 
nation,  a  new  election  of  the  National  Legislature,  will 
remove  the  evil. 

To  conclude.  Let  us  strive  to  defend  our  rights  and 
privileges;  let  us  endeavor  to  preserve  inviolate  the 
union  of  the  States,  and  to  support  our  excellent  con- 
stitution, the  bulwark  of  our  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
Yet,  upon  this  occasion,  and  in  this  connexion,  let  me 
call  your  attention  to  a  subject,  unspeakably  more  im- 
portant. These  privileges,  of  which  I  have  been  speak- 
ing, are  very  valuable,  as  they  respect  a  nation,  which 
may  exist  through  many  generations;  but  as  they 
respect  us,  as  individualsy  their  importance  is  compara- 
tively small.  We  cannot  live  to  enjoy  them,  but  for  a 
L'h"-'*  ''..»e.  This  life  soon  passeihaway.  And  we  are 
p  vdtiontrs  for  a  future  and  eternal  state.  Let  us  then, 
uDove  ail  things,  see  to  it  that  we  secure  tlie  friendship 
of  God,  be  prepared  to  meet  our  final  Judge,  and  enter 
into  everlasting  peace.     Amen. 


hman  upon 
n.  I  feel  it 
n  I  perceive 
:  also  when 
this  consid- 
:>resent  dis- 
little,  in  this 
lit  the  pres- 
et, consist- 
3o  therefore 
'  importance 
nment,  and 
:an  govcrn- 
;ctions.  All 
can  govern, 
ived  and  ra- 
the law  will 
ly  law  of  the 
blature,  will 

r  rights  and 
riviolatc  the 
lelltnt  con- 
ious  liberty, 
ion,  let  me 
y  more  im- 
been  speak - 
It  ion,  which 
)Ut  as  they 
is  compara- 
[n,  but  for  a 
And  we  are 
Let  us  then, 
e  friendship 
;c,  and  enter 


U 


